Education System in Moldova

Certificate/diploma awarded: Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultură generală. Last awarded in 2005

Secondary

Lyceum - Upper Secondary

11

15–18

3

Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Bacalaureat

Vocational

Higher technical/vocational

1–5

Courses can lead to qualifications at undergraduate degree level. 1-5 year programs

Tertiary

Undergraduate

3–6

4 to 6 year programs. Two kinds of diplomas are awarded: The Diploma de Licenţă or Diploma de Studii superioare. Only the first one gives access to higher studies and research, the second one doesn't require any research activity nor defence of a thesis

Tertiary

Tertiary - University

Tertiary

Master

1–2

Tertiary

Doctorate

3–4

The title of Doctor of Science is awarded after three to four years of study and research activity.
Doctor Habilitat is the highest scientific degree conferred in all fields

Primary Education

In Moldova, a landlocked Baltic state bordering on Romania to the west, progress is being made to returning the standard of education to what is once was. This is now compulsory from ages 6 to 17, and begins at primary school from ages 6 to 10.

Middle Education

Lower secondary school completes the preparatory stage for the following 3 years. Here students complete their common curriculum of traditional academic subjects as their aptitudes and likely career outcomes become clearer.

Secondary Education

Students continuing with purely academic education complete their final 2 to 3 years at either scola media or lyceums. In the latter instance at around age 18 they may qualify to apply to go on to tertiary education armed with a diploma bacalaureat.

Vocational Education

Alternatively, they may attend a school of trades for year 12 after completing scola media. Or they may spend grades 10 to 12 at a vocational school, following which they will be free to study at tertiary level, even though they did not receive a diploma bacalaureat this time.

In December 2010, the Republic of Moldova announced an initiative to create a sustainable framework for improved vocational training especially in the rural areas, and thereby stimulate economic growth substantially.

Tertiary Education

There are two kinds of tertiary education in Moldova. Colleges offer higher technical / vocational training in a wide range of occupations and their programs typically last between 2 to 3 years. Some lead to qualifications at undergraduate level too.

There are also a number of private and state-funded universities, of which Moldova State University established in 1946 is arguably the most impressive. It has 11 faculties, and has even been featured on a national postage stamp. Its standards are continuously improving, and it is to be hoped that it will continue underpinning this emerging nation's future.